ICHABOD
Suggested Reading: Ezekiel 10-12
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Angels opening a scroll are depicted in beautiful artwork inside the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Rome. Ezekiel's visions of the most unusual creatures, which he refers to as Cherubim, leave us in awe at the nature of these beings.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Ezekiel 10:18a, 12:28
Then the glory of the Lord departed….Thus says the Lord God: “None of My words will be postponed anymore, but the word which I speak will be done,” says the Lord God.
In 1 Samuel 4:11-22 we find the story of an earlier time when the “Glory” departed from Israel. The times comes when God, who is 100% Holy, is so grieved by the actions of His people that He ceases to manifest His presence anymore until there is a deep sorrow for sin, a turning away from sin, and a turning back to Him. Phineas, son of the high priest Eli, who participated in removing the Ark of God from the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle, was killed, and his widow bore a son whom she named “Ichabod,” which means “the glory has departed.” As our second key verse tells us, God will not postpone forever the consequences of human rebellion against His clearly stated will.
Don’t give up, family of God! He has made over 7,000 promises which are recorded in the Bible. Here’s one of them found in Ezekiel 11:17-19. Let’s read that one again from today’s reading. Verse 19 says, “I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take away the stoney heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I think of the saying, “Have a heart!” Yes! I pray for that “one heart,” and that “new spirit” to be renewed daily within me. You have created me as an eternal being as spirit, soul (heart), mind, and body. Like a father and mother care for their children, so You care for me. I rest in Your arms, totally confident in the constancy of Your love! May Your presence, Your glory, permeate my entire being 24/7. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
One time, shortly after Norma-Jean and I were married, we had retired for the night. I was half asleep when suddenly I was wide awake, sat bolt upright, and cried out in fear. Norma-Jean remembers this also. I sensed that an intensely evil presence had entered our bedroom and was threatening to destroy us. I cried out the name of our Lord and Saviour “Jesus” in a loud voice, and immediately that sense of dread and evil was gone, never to return to this day, 55 years later. That has happened only once, but over and over through the years I have experienced the presence of our loving God, sometimes with greater intensity than at other times. The Scriptures tell us that in His “presence is fullness of joy!” King David wrote a song about this. Read Psalm 16:5-11.
Yours for experiencing the presence of God! (He’s always there; I’m the one who is not constant. May God do an ongoing work in me until that day when I’ll see God face to face in eternity!)
David
Crossroads has helped train hundreds of people from 82 countries in the art of producing good TV programs. Ashvin Dev, seen over Norma-Jean's right shoulder is one of our graduates. He and his team presented us with scarves from India as a "thank you." They now have three over-the-air TV stations licensed by the government of India. Dr. John Hull, Crossroads Global Chief Executive Officer (right), assures us that Crossroads will continue to support this vision.
Did any blog readers watch Olympic hockey? It's in the Canadian nature to apologize, most of the time, for any evidence of triumphalism.
Great caption, but that beaver better watch his attitude! 🙂 It is amazing to read Ezekiel’s visions from our Lord! My imagination can easily be carried away, however in all cases Ezekiel convey’s Gods word, “and then they will know I Am The Lord.” A benevolent God Who oversees every part of our being, standing with us, correcting us, guiding us and giving each of us the promise of eternal life through our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God and His Holy Spirit working in and through each of us! May His blessings, comfort, strength and support be yours! Amen!
Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right spirit within me. Here is a link to the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD2PJ0xbAdYP
Love the picture and caption of the beaver and the eagle!!! Yes, I watched the hockey!! Proud to be Canadian!!!
Ezekial was such a stalwart person. Imagine seeing such an aparition and believing your eyes and ears and then to convey the words and image to his people.
God can work such wonders with us humans! Very sad that His people were so corrupt and hard hearted. I don’t know the Jewish faith and wonder if they believe that Jesus died on the cross for all our sins. Once that concept is grasped, I don’t understand how anyone can take the wrong path.
I’m honoured that Canadians have a reputation of being humble and polite:-)
May God bless us and keep us from a corrupt government like some countries suffer.
It is good to have more countries produce more good programs being produced
it is needed. I am not a hockey fan but I am proud to be a canadian.
Lianne Hogg
Ahhh–what an awesome message, and prayer, today! Thank you, David Mainse! You are such a beloved saint!!! Norma-Jean and you look fantastic receiving those beautiful scarves from India. Ezekiel’s visions are utterly divine; such an incredible read through the Holy Bible. We are blessed, indeed, by God’s love for us! Had a great laugh over the last photo! 🙂
Psalm 16:5-11
O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.
I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
I watched both our men and women win gold in Olympic hockey! We Canadians get a chuckle from that caption above… 🙂 I’m not sure that all USA bloggers would appreciate having salt rubbed in their wounds from this blog…
Could someone please explain to me what “a heart of flesh” symbolizes in Ezekiel 11 verse 19? ! like a heart full of the Holy Spirit better…
In agreement with your hockey comment, David. I especially loved the women’s hockey; think it inspired the men to win ;). So proud as a Canadian!
I searched a few commentaries re: your question:
And I will give them one heart–a whole system of renewed affections. And I will put a new spirit within you–to direct and influence these new affections. And I will take the stony heart out of their flesh–that which would not receive the impressions of My Spirit. And will give them a heart of flesh–one that is capable of receiving and retaining these impressions. (Adam Clarke’s commentary)
The Septuagaint and Arabaic versions render it ‘another heart’; different from what they had before; and I will put a new spirit within you; meaning either the Holy Spirit of God, the author of, regeneration and renovation; this is represented by the ancient Jews as the same with the Spirit of the Messiah that moved upon the face of the waters.
(John Gill’s commentary)
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/ezekiel/11-19.htm
Thanks Beverlee for your assistance and for posting Clarke’s comments…
I also liked John Gill’s reference… “And I will give them one heart,…. In opposition to a divided heart”
Praise our Lord and Saviour! Amen!
Amen!!
Enjoyed reading about your vision and always your comments here on this blog, Beverlee. What a blessing from the Lord and your vision gives you confidence in the exercise of your gift. Keep going my sister. Praise God! The Lord just impressed on my heart that one of the main principals in writing is to be honest with your thoughts and feelings; isn’t that true. Ezekiel, a younger contemporary of Jeremiah also had confidence and faith in God to deliver such unusual visions from the Lord to his people not knowing the consequence. You are faithful too David and committed. Thanks for sharing the photos; love them. Have a great day friends.
I too had a encounter like you described. In my case in came during a time I was mad at God for some reason and I wanted nothing to do with Him. I wasn’t reading my Bible, or praying, but I did not stopped believing, I was just giving God the cold shoulder.
Then one morning I was awaken by the sound of growling, and although I was waking up, this wasn’t a dream– when my eyes open there was a loin at the foot of my bed. I screamed and bolted upright, crying out to Jesus to help me. In a flash the lion disappeared and as calmed down, and trying to convince myself I must of have been dreaming, I saw a shadow in the shape of a man, entering what was like a door but not a door and He disappeared into it.
I cannot say for certain it was Satan, but I do know Scripture does state he is like a roaming loin looking for someone to devour— all I know is I was trying to hurt God because I was mad at Him, and that day I realized the only one I was hurting by staying away from God was myself. It was scariest thing that ever happened to me, and I am glad to say it has never happened again, it was about 10 years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday.
As for the hockey game, I missed it, I went to 9 o’clock services at my church, but I was tempted to stay home, but in the end, Jesus won over hockey in this Canadian gal’s heart.
Dear Rev. David M. and fellow bloggers, Just want to try out wheather my comment is going through for yesterday my comment stopped after the first sentence.
Carole.
Dear Rev. David M.
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Carole, I also have experienced difficulty with some posts. For some reason copying and pasting from this blog doesn’t always work. I also had difficulty copying and pasting scripture when I tried to remove the bracketed letters that reference other interpretations…
Hope this is helpful. God Bless
Dear Rev. David M.
This award could not have been given to someone better than you and crossroads ministry. It’s such an honor for me to be a member of such a team whose #1 goal is to let Jesus be known from Canada to the rest of the world.
I am looking forward to seeing the movie Son Of God at our local theater in Montreal, Quebec and I pray that this movie will have a great and powerful impact on the lost souls and especially our younger generation. I pray this in the name of the One and Only, Jesus Christ, our Savior, our King. Amen
xxxx Carole
Amen!
Just wanted to say how wonderful it is to see that you got the International Individual Achievement Award. I have watched 100 Huntley from when it first began and am praising God for giving you this reward that you so deserve. God Bless! And thank you for being ‘Light’ in such a dark world.